Idiomatic Expressions with Animals

Study Notes

Idioms and Expressions

A dark horse: someone with a secret, especially a secret ability, skill, or achievement that surprises you when you discover it
Like something the cat dragged in: to have a very dirty or untidy appearance
Bird's-eye view: a good view of something from a high position
A little bird told me: an expression used for saying that you are not going to say who told you something
Gets my goat: to annoy someone
Had a bee in his bonnet: to be very involved in something that you think is important, in a way that other people find annoying
Let the cat out of the bag: to tell someone something that was supposed to be a secret
Drowned rat: looking very wet and cold
For donkey's years: an extremely long time
A little white lie: to tell a small lie to avoid hurting someone's feelings
Red tape: official procedures that seem unnecessary or annoying
Until you're blue in the face: to ask someone to do something repeatedly until they are very tired or frustrated
Cry murder: to shout loudly to get attention or help
In the pink: to be in good health and feeling well
A white elephant: something that is useless or unwanted
Given the green light: to be given permission or approval to do something
Like the Black Hole of Calcutta: extremely crowded or chaotic
Use your grey matter: to use your brain or intelligence
It's hot off the press: something that is very new or exciting
Having a red-letter day: having a very special or successful day
Blue-collar workers: people who work in manual jobs, often wearing casual clothes
Financial black hole: a situation where a lot of money is being wasted or lost
Brown-nosing: trying to win favor or approval by flattering or trying to please someone
Green fingers: having a talent for gardening
Out of the blue: unexpectedly or surprisingly
Cut and run: to leave a difficult or unpleasant situation quickly
Doesn't cut any ice with me: doesn't impress or affect me
Cut corners: to do something quickly or carelessly, often to save time or effort
Cut someone down to size: to criticize or humiliate someone
Cut to the quick: to upset or hurt someone deeply
Cut both ways: to have both good and bad effects
Want your cut: to want a share of something, especially money

Phrasal Verbs and Idioms Using 'Do'

Do up: to put on or fasten something (e.g., shoelaces)
Do without: to manage without something
Do away with: to get rid of something or someone

Idiomatic Emphasis

Wide awake: completely awake and alert
As warm as toast: very warm and comfortable
Wide open: completely open or obvious
As stubborn as a mule: very stubborn or obstinate
As thick as a brick: very stupid or foolish
As deaf as a post: completely deaf
As ugly as sin: extremely ugly
Bored stiff: extremely bored
As fit as a fiddle: very healthy and fit
As cheap as chips: extremely cheap
As calm as a millpond: completely calm and peaceful
As black as coal: completely dark or black
As wet as a drowned rat: extremely wet
As mad as a hatter: extremely angry or crazy
As good as gold: very well-behaved or obedient

Other Expressions

Get a grip on yourself: to control your emotions and behavior
Get to grips with: to understand and deal with something
Get your act together: to organize yourself and do something effectively
Get away with murder: to be able to do something without being punished or criticized
Get your own back: to take revenge on someone
Get away from it all: to take a break or holiday from a stressful or unpleasant situation